Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-10-03
The MadiSOnS' Butler.


her meant generally how long viii the
newly acquired domestic remain on
the field of his or her present useful
ness-or uselessness:
Mrs. Madison was rich in this
worlds goods. She had an indulg-
ent husband, charming children, a
more than comfortable income. and
| enough beauty to make her very
pleasant to look upon. But all these
gifts of a kind Providence were as
nothing weighed in the balance
against the crushing fact that every
one of the Madison buffers was worse
than his predecessors. The poor lady
had tried every nationality. as she
said, except the Chinese: there she
drew the line.
At the time when this veTacious
story opens, the latest venture in the
pantrv-line had proved to be COM
plete failure, and was to depart on
the morrow.
Mrs. Madison sat in her charming
sitting-room, over a wood-fre. with
the hot water kettle kissing genially
among its companion tea things.
which had been brought in for the
last time by the present incumbent.
Opposite to her was her sister, Syl-
via Arden. She had just come in
from walking, and her long sealskin
garment was thrown open as she sat
toasting her cold feet and drawing
of her gloves.
She was one of the prettiest girls
in New York-which means that she
was very lovely indeed.
''Shall we have that dinner on the
10Th, Maud:" asked the young lady.
She rose as she spoke. and divested
herself of her furs, and as she did so
one saw what 1.-THE and shapely fig
ure she had.
1T all depends on the butler,
said her sister. George will get
somebody to-day,-goodness knows
what"
IAN Irishman, probably" said
Sylvia. ''An our French dressmak-
ers are Irish. Our city is ruled by
the Irish; our policemen are Irish
why not our butlers:'
Il should think you were Irish
yourself, dear, from what you say,
said Mrs. Madison, laughing. ''Ah,
there comes Georges key in the door.
Now we shall see what news he
brings
In moment or two the master of
IL hnnsa nntprpd
He took the cup of tea which his
wife had poured out. Then seating
/ himself. he said:
well, I've got him.
who" asked his wife, mischiev-
ously. .sPatrick O'Mulligan:"
NO. John Parkins-an English
man"
..Was there ever an Englishman
who wasn't named john said Syl-
via.
Good references, of course:"
said Mrs. Madison, with grim sar-
casm. s'Thev always have"
No, said her husband, cheerful
". None at all
Mrs Madison was quite quiet.
s.You are tired Of the silver, them
Not at all; but he won't take
silver. If there is anything dishon-
est about John Parkins, then l am
wofully mistaken"
"You generally are said his wife
dryly.
THANK you, madam. No, he may
be little green, but he is one of the
finest looking men I ever saw
.'Do you remember our British
Adonis?" asked Sylvia,-''when he
handed round the lobster sauce in the
kitchen jug, and then put it into the
dumb waiter instead of the empty
dishes?''
''Am likely to forget it p
''Then why" asked Mrs. Madison,
with sudden asperity, s'do you sub
ject us to similar experience: How
can you bring a man without refer
ence into my house,
''On the same principle" said Mr..
Madison, setting down his cup with
perfect imperturbility, ''that you
once said you would advertise for an
atheist, having tried every religion
in the housemaid line and failed la
mentally with all the sects repre-
sented / am tired Of the men who
have lived with all the English aris-
tocracv. Now Parkins assures me
that he has not lived with any Of
them. He has the face of an honest,
steady man and he tells US that he is
willing to learn.
Mrs. Madison gave a mock groan.
THAT means that | am willing to
teach,' said she.
''And are We to have that dinner
on the 15th?'' asked Sylvia.
''By all MEANS said her brother
in-law. And so the conversation
ended.
The next day, it being the 1st Of
the month, promptly at the hour
agreed upon, John Parkins presented
himself TO the lady of the house, with
a modest, defeTential bearing which
was quite delightful He was a strap
ping fellow about thirty, dressed in
worn but well cut garments His